Raise Your Voice: Social Services Failing Children?

Press Release:- We listened with disappointment and fear for minors who are Wards of the State at the long drawn out excuse contained within a press release by the Ministry for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment regarding the imprisonment of a pregnant juvenile who has been a ward of the state from the age of ten (10), when the Department of Human Services & the Family Court deemed her mother unfit.

While this case has grabbed the attention of the general public, there are many cases that require immediate review and intervention. We therefore call on the Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, Hon. Leonard Montoute, to request and conduct an independent investigation into the Department of Human Services, the Transit Home & the Boys Training Center, with a corresponding investigation into the information and documentation submitted to the Family Court by those Agencies.

We continue to request immediate release of the teenager and her two weeks old daughter from prison (Bordelaise Correctional Facility) and an investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of 4-year-old Milan Ferdinand of Grand Ravine, Dennery approximately one year ago.

8 Comments

Anonymous

Anonymous

This saddens me as a st Lucian living abroad to see what is happening in my country, it’s hart breaking and sad that there are so many children in that kind of Situation where the men are taking advantage over those young girls(children). they need to have a system put in place for those girls where they can come to and feel comfortable enough to open up to someone that they can talk to. 😢😢

Anonymous

I’m in support of an investigation immediately into the operations of human services… I never met Milan but I continue to mourn because we have many Milans on this island and I know some personally. Follow ups should be a compulsory part of their investigations into any matter. I personally have been part of investigations about some children and remain disheartened because of the amount time it takes to human services to act. It makes me wonder why do we even take time out of our busy schedules to report matters that won’t be dealt with by the authorities. Please, please please do something fast

Reality Check!

Uhmmm…Between the writers of SNO, St. Lucia times and Raise Your Voice St. Lucia. It’s apparent that you do not have enough work to do. I’d suggest you lend some of your time and expertise at one of the above mentioned agencies, to ensure speedy and more effective services.

Perhaps an investigation should be launched into the amount of workers available at these agencies who are expected to provide island wide services. Ever thought of the amount of man power, brain power, and resources it takes to assist people in vulnerable situations. If you (all of you) care so much for the island’s children, open your heart, your home and your wallets for when children need placement and NBTH and BTC is full or not the best place.

You make it seem like basic intervention is all that’s needed. If it’s so easy…particularly for the Raise Your Voice squad…then stop talking all over your faces and be real advocates….do something worth while!!!

#PissingMeOff

anonymous

Anonymous

So wait the young lady committed a crime but because she is pregnant she should not serve her time. Perhaps the legal is system is failing and not Human Services as they are bound by that legal system. The folks there genuinely do their best given what they have to work with.

pissed

Just maybe all those with bright people should volunteer at those agencies. Raise your voice has a number of retired social workers attached to them. Only now they realise the system is failing the people. I would suggest that they offer their expertise instead of bashing them. The level of hypocrisy is beyond me.
“Ask Not your country can do for you but rather ask what you can do for your country”.